to live a truly religious life through our knowledge

of the one who called us to share in his own glory and goodness.

In this way he has given us the very great and precious gifts he promised,

so that by means of these gifts you may escape

from the destructive lust that is in the world, and may come to share the divine nature.

For this very reason do you best to add goodness to your faith;

to your goodness add knowledge; to your knowledge add self-control;

to your self-control add endurance; to your endurance add godliness;

to your godliness add brotherly affection; and to your brotherly affection add love.

These are the qualities you need, and if you have them in abundance,

they will make you active and effective in your knowledge

of our Lord Jesus Christ.